Match Reports

Melrose vs Heriots (BT Cup)

04 Mar 2017

Despite heavy overnight rain the weather dried up by kick off time, for this BT Cup quarter final match, and the sun threatened to shine. The pitch was sticky in places accounting for several players slipping in crucial situations. With three minutes played Ruaridh Knott had to leave the pitch, temporarily, for repair to a head cut. Two minutes later Heriots won a lineout in St. Mary's Corner with, following slick hands, Michael Liness diving into the corner for the opening try of the day. From the kick off Melrose exerted pressure driving left with a wide pass right to Austin Lockington who nipped into the Policeman's Corner for the Melrose riposte try. Jason Baggott's conversion from the touchline gave Melrose the lead which they never lost. On 10 minutes Baggott fielded a Heriots kick ahead, inside the Melrose 22, and passed to Fraser Thomson who raced down most of the far side, skinning the Heriots defence, before passing outside to Lockington who had all of 10m to run before scoring his second try in the Policeman's Corner. On 23 minutes Melrose won a lineout in the Town Corner and from the resulting rolling maul to the left of the posts George Taylor was driven over for a try converted by Baggott. Four minutes later Melrose stole a lineout ball, again in the Town Corner, with Lewis Carmichael making a break and racing in for a try between the posts, with Baggott adding the extras. The half ended with Baggott kicking a penalty just before the interval.

Half time - Melrose 29 Heriots 5.

The second half was characterised by a raft of replacements by both teams, and with two superb defences. On 67 minutes Cammie MacKay irritated the referee and was invited to spend the next ten minutes sitting on the "naughty step". Before his return Heriots made a fine cross-field break the ball ending with Junior Rasolea who crossed the line in the Policeman's Corner before dotting down to the right of the posts. John Semple's conversion ended the scoring.

The semi-final match of the BT Cup will be played against Stirling County at the Greenyards on Saturday, 25th March.